(or Blues for a Mississippi Black Boy)
I was born in Mississippi;
I walked barefooted thru the mud.
...
Taped to the wall of my cell are 47 pictures: 47 black
faces: my father, mother, grandmothers (1 dead) , grand-
fathers (both dead) , brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts,
cousins (1st and 2nd) , nieces, and nephews.They stare
...
Shiny record albums scattered over
the living room floor, reflecting light
from the lamp, sharp reflections that hurt
my eyes as I watch you, squatting among the platters,
...
He sees through stone
he has the secret
eyes this old black one
who under prison skies
...
Exchange in greed the ungraceful signs. Thrust
The thick notes between green apple breasts.
Then the shadow of the devil descends,
...
Night Music Slanted
Light strike the cave of sleep. I alone
tread the red circle
and twist the space with speech
...
Beyond the brown hill
Above the silent cedars,
Blackbirds flee the April rains.
...